Shoe and method of making the same



Dec. 5, 1944. I s, KL VEN 2,364,373

SHOE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Dec. 28, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

INVENTOR. SHML/EL L KLev/E/v ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1944. KLEVEN 2,364,373

SHOE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Dec. 28, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENIOR SHMuEL L. K1. EVEN ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 5, 1944 U NIT ED STAT E S PAT E N T OFF-LC E SHGE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Samuel L. Kleven, Augusta, Maine Application December 28, 1943, Serial-N0. 515,948

7Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture 'of footwear of the type wherein the upper structure and the sole structure are laced together by a fastening thong.

Footwear comprises special upper and insole structures, certain marginal portions of which are spirally laced together, and a conventional outsole structure attached to the insole.

The upper is so formed that when its marginal portions are abutted against the edge of the insole, the upper is-shaped as if lasted. The upper is laced to the insole to maintain the relation by proper disposition of the lacings with reference to the respective marginal portions of the upper and insole, and by the proper tautness of the lacing. After the upper and insole have been thus assembled, alast may be inserted and any desired outsole structure conventionally attached to the insole.

My invention provides footwear that is simple in construction, attractive in appearance, and serviceable in use. It also minimizes lasting 'problems while enabling the production of footwear in a wide variety of artistic styles and effects.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown embodiments of my invention which well illustrate the novel features and advantages of my footwear and of the method of manufacturing it.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an upper formed to have a predetermined relation to the insole and outsole when positioned as if lasted.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an insole to be laced to the upper shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the upper and insole marginally laced together preparatory to the attachment of an outsole structure (shown in dotted lines) thereto.

Fig. 4 shows the shoe of Fig. 3 completed by the addition of an outsole structure of the platform type.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the shoe of Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 shows a shoe in accordance with my invention, but completed by a different type of outsole structure.

Fig. '7 shows, in a View similar to Fig. 3, a modification of my invention in which the upper has a marginal trim.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged section, of the footwear shown in Fig. 7, and

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are enlarged, fragmentary views illustrating different dispositions of the in accordance with my invention.

lacings that may be used with footwear in :accordance with my invention.

shown in Fig. l, I provide anupper l0 which may be of any desiredtype. The upper in is formed to be positioned as if lasted when its marginal portions =l-l :abut the edges'of the insole l2 in apredetermined relation. Preferably. this relation is such that the edges of the portions II also abut the upper surface of the outsole structure l3, as shown'in Fig.5.

.In accordance with my invention, I assemble the upper l0 and the insole I2 to eachotherby means of a lacing I4 spirally disposed through their margins. To insure the proper relation ofthe upper 10 and the insole l2, their marginal portions may be formed with means to guide their assembly, as at l5 and 16, respectively. Such means is here shown as a plurality of lacing-receiving apertures punctured through the respective parts. The apertures l5 are spaced from the edge of the upper III a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the insole l2 and the apertures l6 are spaced inwardly of the edge of the insole l2 a distance suflicient to provide a firm anchor for the margins II when the lacing is drawn taut (as shown in Fig. 5).

In this manner, the upper ill and the insole I2 may be accurately and easily assembled by means of the lacing I4. A last, indicated in dotted line at I! in Fig. 4, may now be inserted to permit any desired outsole structure It to be attached in any conventional manner to the insole 1!.

In Fig. 4 the outsole structure is of the platform type. With this type of outsole structure, the insole may be stitched to the platform l8 and the outsole l9 cemented to the platform [8.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a shoe in which the upper I ll is of a closed type and the outsole structure l3 comprises an outsole 2i) and a heel 2| attached to the insole in any conventional manner.

Where desired for strength or appearance, I

may provide, in any type of shoe, the upper Ill with a marginal trim 22 which may be attached to the upper Ill in any desired way, as by stitching, indicated at 23, and through which the I lacing l4 passes (see Figs. 7 and 8).

In Figs. 9-11, I have shown different dispositions of the lacings. While these are essentially spiral, they differ in appearance. In Fig. 9, the lacing M appears as Xs, the lacing l4 of Fig. 10 is in the form of a lockstitch, while in Fig. 11, the lacing 14 is disposed as a baseball stitch.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that I may make satisfactory and attractive footwear in a variety of styles and designs on an efficient and economical basis, and without the necessity of any elaborate slitting and bending of the insole margin, as has heretofore been considered necessary in order to properly lace together the insole and upper structure.

Various modifications in design, arrangement and method may obviously be resorted to within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shoe comprising an upper, an insole, an outsole structure attached to said insole, at least certain marginal portions of said upper abutting the upper surface of said outsole structure and the outer edges of said insole, and means extending spirally through adjacent marginal portions of said upper and said insole to lace said upper i to said insole.

2. A shoe comprising an upper, an insole, certain inner marginal portions of said upper abutting the edge of said insole when said upper is shaped as if lasted, the marginal portions of said upper and insole each having a plurality of apertures spaced from its edge, and means extending through said apertures to lace said upper to said insole.

3. The shoe of claim 2 in which the apertures in said upper are spaced from the edge of said upper a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the insole.

4. The method of making a shoe that comprises providing an insole, providing an upper at least certain inner marginal portions of which are to abut the edge of said insole when said upper is disposed thereon as if lasted, and assembling the upper on the insole'by lacings extending spirally through the abutting portions of the upper and insole.

5. The method of making a shoe that comprises providing an insole, providing an upper at least certain marginal portions of which are to abut the edge of the insole when the upper is disposed as if lasted, each of the marginal portions of the upper and insole having apertures, the apertures in the upper being spaced from the edge of said upper a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the insole, and lacing the upper to the insole through the apertures.

6. The method of making a shoe that comprises providing an insole, providing an upper at least certain marginal portions of which are to abut the edge of the insole, and assembling the upper by lacing it to the insole along predetermined lines spaced inwardly of the edges of the upper and insole to shape the upper as if lasted.

7. A shoe comprising an upper, an insole, a trim attached to at least the marginal portions of said upper which are to abut the edge of said insole when said upper is disposed as if lasted to the insole, and means extending spirally through adjacent marginal portions of said insole, said trim and said upper to assemble said upper and said insole with said marginal portions abutting at an angle.

SAML L. KLEVEN. 

